Oregon State Capitol

The Oregon State Capitol is a government building in Salem, Oregon, with a gilded dome and three floors. The design blends Art Deco with classical forms, and the interior spaces are lined with marble.

The current building opened in 1938 after two earlier capitol structures were destroyed by fires. Architects Trowbridge & Livingston designed the third site with fireproof materials and simplified forms.

A bronze statue called the Oregon Pioneer crowns the dome and shows a man holding an axe facing west. This direction reminds visitors of the journeys along the Oregon Trail that many families made during the 1800s.

Tours take place on weekdays and allow access to legislative chambers and public hallways. Visitors should check available times in advance, as access may be restricted during sessions.

Murals inside show Lewis and Clark during their expedition through the region. A marble panel records the names of all the state governors since statehood in 1859.

Location: Salem

Inception: 1930s

Architects: Trowbridge & Livingston

Official opening: October 1, 1938

Architectural style: Art Deco, modern architecture, Minimal Traditional, Stripped Classicism

Floors above the ground: 3

Made from material: marble

GPS coordinates: 44.93873,-123.03010

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:59